I'm just saying...

I have to get these out there and off my chest. All of these explanations are not my own. This is so that no one can say, "Well, that's what you say Sara..." Examples are my own. But the explanations come from dictionaries and other sources of public knowledge.

It's "regardless." Irregardless is not a word.

"Webster's New International Dictionary (2nd. Ed. Unabridged, 1934) described the word as an erroneous or humorous form of regardless, and attributed it to the United States. Irregardless is an informal term commonly used in place of regardless or irrespective, which has caused controversy since it first appeared in the early twentieth century. Most dictionaries list it as "nonstandard" or "incorrect"."

It's "Can I borrow a..." and "Can you lend/loan me a..."

"Can you borrow me a..." is just plain ridiculous.

"There is a common misconception in some areas of the United States where people believe that you can subsititute the word "borrow" for the words "loan" or "lend."

Borrow means to take something from someone, with permission and with the intention of giving it back. Lend is just the opposite. It means to give something to someone, with the expectation that s/he will return it. Loan is a synonym for lend, used by Americans."

Correct:

X: "Can I borrow a pencil?"

Y: "Sure, I would be glad to lend you a pencil."

Incorrect:

X: "Can you borrow me a pencil?"

Y: *Slaps X*

Furthermore, it is incorrect to ask someone to loan you a piece of gum or something else that the other person would not want back.

I'm looking at you, Mid-Westerners. I never heard this whole "borrow me a..." nonsense until we moved to the Mid-West.

It's "thaw." Dethaw is also, not a word.

"A confusing conjunction of "defrost" and "thaw." Has a corresponding etymology to "unthaw." Literally, it means to refreeze, however, it has never actually been used correctly in conversation. Ever. In fact, it is always used to mean the opposite--as in, people use it as a synonym to "thaw." Just say thaw. Not dethaw, not unthaw, just thaw. This term is generally regarded as nonstandard and an illiterate term for "thaw;" consequently, it is inappropriate for use in formal contexts."

It's "I couldn't care less."

"I could care less" means that you do, in fact, care.

"A bit of history first: the original expression, of course, was "I couldn’t care less," meaning “it is impossible for me to have less interest or concern in this matter, since I am already utterly indifferent”. The inverted form "I could care less" was coined in the US and is found only there.

"Attempts to be logical about "I could care less" fail. Taken literally, if one could care less, then one must care at least a little, which is obviously the opposite of what is meant."

Other problem phrases/words:

Supposed to: Do not omit the d. Suppose to is incorrect.

Used to: Same as above. Do not write use to.

Toward: There is no s at the end of the word.

Anyway: Also has no ending s. Anyways is nonstandard.

For all intents and purposes: Not intensive purposes. Actual meaning is "under usual circumstances" or "in practical situations."

Enormity: Means "extreme evil." It is not a synonym for "enormous." For example, saying "I cannot believe the enormity of the situation" is actually saying something along the lines of, "I cannot believe how evil this situation is." Most people who use this word believe they are saying something akin to, "This situation is so enormous, I am overwhelmed." Those people would be wrong.

Taken for Granite: Correct usage is "taken for granted."

Did a 360: Correct usage is "did a 180" as a 360 is perfect circle and would bring you back to where you started and that would be pointless and a waste of time.

Escape Goat: Correct usage is "a scape goat" or just "scape goat." A "scape goat" is an individual made to bear the blame of others. The origin comes from the Bible, when Aaron confessed all the sins of the children of Israel over the head of a live goat on the Day of Atonement and released it into the wilderness to carry the sins of Israel away from their camp. (Sara's note: does anyone else find the misuse of this word hilarious? I would like an escape goat. I think an escape goat might be as fun as a fainting goat.)